ResMed AirFit N30i nasal mask now available at cpap.com

[realshelby]

The Dreamwear also vents at the top hose connection. When you exhale you would be surprised to find that your breathe can actually work its way up to that vent too. Unhook your hose and leave the mask in place, place your hand at the elbow. A LOT of air will come out there. Even with the "fresh" air coming, the exhalation pressure is higher and will force breath up there.

[CelesteMcC]

I'm getting one on Friday (ostensibly, as my DME isn't always good at coordinating things) and am looking forward to trying it. I also use Dreamwear.

[nanwilson]

I have used tis mask for awhile now and still like it. No leaking and is comforting to wear. My pressure hasn't changed at all, I'm set at 10 to 15 and did a check this morning and my cd card says it still sits at about 11.5 ( which all of the dozens of masks I have tried has done.) I think I will now make this my primary mask and slide the P10 to #2
Cheers
Nan

[zoomzoom]

I tried the Dreamware w/gel nasal cushions at the DME's office the other day when I picked up my machine and the F&P Brevida. I did not like the feeling of the hose connector on the top of my head. I keep my hair real short, so it's almost like there's a pressure spot right where the hose connects on the top of my head. I feel like this will have the same issue, no? The style looks the same between the two

[realshelby]

Yes, both the N30i and the Dreamwear will feel similar when in place.

But don't be too quick to discard the hose connection at the top. I have short hair, beyond mashing my hair there are no other issues. Top mount hoses are awesome, if you can live with the other end of the mask! You have to try them for a while to understand. FWIW, the Dreamwear nasal pillows isn't near as popular as the nasal cushion version. They are interchangeable on the same head gear.

[zoomzoom]

Yes, both the N30i and the Dreamwear will feel similar when in place.

But don't be too quick to discard the hose connection at the top. I have short hair, beyond mashing my hair there are no other issues. Top mount hoses are awesome, if you can live with the other end of the mask! You have to try them for a while to understand. FWIW, the Dreamwear nasal pillows isn't near as popular as the nasal cushion version. They are interchangeable on the same head gear.

Thanks! I think I am certain I tried the nasal cushion in the DME's office when I had my brief 1-2 minute test. What I don't like is feeling the cushion/pillow on my upper lip, especially when it's warm and "moisty." Not sure if I would have the same issue with the Dreamwear since I didn't give it much time in a lying down position (you can only recline up to 150-160 degrees at the DME's office).

I can give the Dreamwear another go as I'm within my 30 day mask trial window. What do you do with the hose if it's on the top of your head? Do you use a device like the hose buddy or rigged something similar up yourself?

Also, why do you think the nasal pillows aren't as popular as the nasal cushion version? Is there something I should be on the lookout for?

[realshelby]

I don't really feel like the Dreamwear nasal cushion sweats your nose area. The Bravida will, so I know what that is like. The N30i cradles your nose more than the Dreamwear and while not a problem for me, it did feel a bit "damp" a couple times.

While I typically do have a "hose holder" it is less important with the top mount hose than the others. As long as there is a bit of slack in the hose, you can pretty much completely forget about the hose with the top mount like the Dreamwear or N30i. Here is where the office visit misleads you, the top mount hose DOES feel wierd and tugs on you until you are laying down in bed. After that you just don't notice it. Get up from laying down, and it does feel like it tugs on you. Until you release the hose at least.

Testing in a DME office just won't tell the whole story.

The Dreamwear nasal pillows are almost exactly like the Nuance series masks. But with the Nuance you can move the pillows around a bit to get them just right. On the Dreamwear the pillows are pretty much in a fixed position. Which might be the exact position you want, but more likely it isn't. That is where they can become uncomfortable. These seal really well, but can be hard on the nares. I still really like my Nuance Pro, but have to take a break from it occasionally due to it making my nares sore. The Dreamwear were way worse, and I suspect that is why the pillows version seems less popular than the cushion style.

[CelesteMcC]

What do you do with the hose if it's on the top of your head?

Answered well above! But really, nothing. I have the nasal cradle. I just drape the hose between my pillow and the headboard, and turn the swivel hose connection away from my husband's side of the bed (occasionally he feels it if it's facing him). But that's it.

For what it's worth, (I do have longer hair) I make a ponytail and put it between the straps in back, while sitting up. I connect the hose, let it settle, then bobby-pin the straps to my hair. Release the ponytail, lie down, it settles in place just right.

Going to get the ResMed AirFit N30i this afternoon -- fingers crossed! I'll be interested to see the differences between it and Dreamwear.

[MurrayNevada]

I gave it a try but it is on the way back (thankful for return insurance). I have been using the Dream Wear nasal mask for the past few months with great success. I use the large headgear and a medium wide cushion. The AirFit N30i with its standard headgear is too small for me and the included cushions are very uncomfortable. If ResMed starts selling large headgear and a medium wide cushion I will again give it a try. It does look well made.

[Becca59]

I hope Resmed comes out with a full face version, perhaps they will call it F30i. I loved the hose on the head when I tried Dreamwear. Unfortunately the Dreamwear FF mask leaked too much and made obnoxious noises that sounded like passing gas. I am currently using the F30 which I love.. best mask I have tried so far. I just wish it had a hose on top of the head. I don't really like the "elephant trunk" hose method. I tangle up in the hose at times. One of these days I may accidently hang myself on equipment that is supposed to improve my life.

[CelesteMcC]

Tried the AirFit N30i last night for the first time.

Excellent, for first use -- if this continues it'll become my regular mask. Better than Dreamwear, and I didn't expect it to be this good this soon.

One problem I have with the otherwise very good Dreamwear is tiny leaks around my nose, just enough to be irritating. With the AirFit I had no tiny leaks at all. None. I can wear it slightly looser, too, and still no leaks. I have the small frame and used the small cushion last night; I may experiment with the medium cushion. Because the cushion is more curved than Dreamwear's it seemed to fit better, and the flow of air was better. Nothing felt impeded, as happens to me with the Dreamwear. As someone else mentioned above, with my head on its side the airflow wasn't blocked: air still got into both nostrils evenly.

Also very notable was that the mask didn't move all night, even though I did.

Hoping the trend lasts!

[Becca59]

I will not be trying the Airfit N30i mask because I need FF, but I am not surprised it fit so well & didn't leak even with a lot of movement. This is why I love the F30. Same thing, better cushion and no leaks.

[2ndchance]

How does the N30i compare to the P10 for side-sleepers?

[CelesteMcC]

I will not be trying the Airfit N30i mask because I need FF, but I am not surprised it fit so well & didn't leak even with a lot of movement. This is why I love the F30. Same thing, better cushion and no leaks.

I hope they will! Perhaps this is a toe in the water for ResMed. They seem to have taken Dreamwear's excellent concept and fixed all the little annoyances. Apparently I may be the first client at my DME to have asked for this mask... the tech who fitted me suspected it will outpace the Dreamwear nasal cradle. I read about it here, realized I had one week left for my insurance to cover it, and they were able to get it for me in time, bravo to them.

I'm on my third night and it just seems to get better.

There are a few downsides, if these matter:
-- the "arms" have a snub, soft fabric sleeve around them that you can't remove easily, unlike Dreamwear's little soft "wraps". It appears designed to stay on the frame. They may be slower to dry when you wash the mask. So far so good, being winter in the Northeast; come humid summer that may be problem. For fun I tried to attach my Dreamwear's wraps, and they don't fit.
- There's gentle accordion pleating at the top where the hose attaches. That doesn't dry fully, a few beads of water remain even hours after I wash it. But that hasn't proved to be a problem for me.

If you use the Dreamwear, like it but have those little issues and are due for a new mask anyway, this is definitely worth a look.